How do we stay fit for surfing over winter?
Whether you’re planning to hit the UK surf in winter, or want to make sure you’re fit enough to make the most of the waves on a tropical surf trip, here are some of our top ways to stay surf fit during the colder months.
While the only way to train for surfing is by surfing, with limited daylight and stormy conditions, it’s not easy to surf as much we’d like to throughout winter. However, keeping fit is vital for surfing stamina and performance. After all, you don’t want to be that surfer struggling to paddle out in head-to-toe neoprene, or not getting your wave count in when you land to perfect waves in your dream surf holiday destination.
So, switch up surfing with other, more accessible sports, to stay on the game for winter surfing. Here are a few of our favourite ways to stay surf fit for winter…
Swimming and coldwater dips…
Swimming is the best sport for staying paddle fit – and it’s no wonder that many of us head to the sanctuary of indoor pools to get our laps in when the ocean temperature plummets. In addition to pool swimming, ditch your wetsuit and dip in the sea/ lake/ lido regularly. Just a two-minute immersion will boost your metabolism, blood flow and immune system, release a rush of endorphins, and ensure that when you do don a wetsuit for a winter surf you’ll be feeling much more toasty and able to stay in longer. Also, discovering new wild swimming spots is a great way to explore your local coastline and get out outside for a winter adventure in any weather.
Discover wild swimming locations close to you at https://www.wildswimming.co.uk
Mountain Biking
Whether you’re facing a bracing winter paddle out, or want to maximise the number of waves you catch on a balmy reef break, you need good cardio vascular fitness. And what better way to work your lungs than peddling up hills on a mountain bike? As well as taking you to beautiful forest locations (that make a great place to head to when it’s blowing onshore), you’ll be rewarded with fun, flowing downhill rides, then easier paddle outs and more power to ride the waves when you get back in the surf. We love the family-friendly mountain biking trails at Lanhydrock and Cardinham Woods in Cornwall, both with cosy cafés for well-earned hot chocolates and cake at the end.
Running along the coast path
Our favourite way to stay fit and get outside over winter is simply running. It’s a free, all-weather, all-terrain, all ability activity, that can be done straight from your front door. We prefer to hit the coastal trails and include some inclines and different terrains, so we can check the surf and soak up the sea views while bolstering our cardio vascular and lower body strength. Even when there’s been no surf for weeks, you’ll stay in touch with the tides and ocean, and when the surf’s back on you’ll have increased stamina for the paddle outs and manoeuvres.
Online workouts
A combination of strength, stamina and flexibility are essential for surfing performance. In winter it’s all too easy to curl up on the sofa between sessions and binge on Netflix under the duvet, instead of stretching and strengthening the muscles you need to surf. So before turning on the latest series, switch to a surf-focused workout or online yoga class to keep strong and supple for the surf. Online workouts are much easier to fit into a busy routine, and rather than needing an hour for a class, turn to a quick 10-minute HIT workout (try @tee_surf_fit) and 10-15 minutes of yoga (try Vitamin Sea Collective), three or four times a week. It works wonders.
Finally, an incentive to keep fit and surfing for winter is to book yourself a family surfing holiday to look forward to.
If you want the perfect springboard to surf fitness in 2022, checkout our Surf Mums Weekend Breaks….
